Nearly 6,000 people and their “best friends” came out yesterday for John DeBella’s, (DJ for WMGK radio station) 7th Annual Dog Walk at beautiful and picturesque Green Lane Park just outside of Lansdale.
I had been in attendance in previous years at this event held at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. But the unbelievable sea of cars was a great sight to behold yesterday knowing all of these people came out to support this annual event.
I met John years ago at Channel 10 during a show in which I was there to help find homes for two dogs. As John and I spoke it was quite evident the love he has for animals. It is also how I found out about his annual dog walk.
The annual dog walk in Fairmount Park made an impression on me but nothing prepared for me yesterday’s festivities. It has grown tremendously from the early days.
I told John how impressed I was with his annual event yesterday. He told me how last year 5400 people were in attendance and they beat that record as of 12:30 yesterday.
The event is to promote better dog ownership and the work animal shelters and rescues do.
Many activities were held including many contests, K-9 demonstrations and drawings of your pets among other events. A demonstration was held in the agility course. I was amazed by one Australian Shephard dog who flew through that course and listened so intently to its owner.
I found one discouraging piece of information after talking to one of the organizations. A person was pulling a wagon full of 13 Labrador Retriever puppies. These puppies were for sale at $500.00 each!! It is suspected that this person might be a puppymiller. Puppymillers come in all shapes, sizes and colors. And they have no shame. I hope that wasn’t true. However, I didn’t see the wagon myself.
The only other drawback was the weather for the dogs. This could have easily been the dog days of summer! I didn’t take my dogs but it was obvious how hot the dogs were. But water bowls were set up everywhere plus quite a few dogs took a dip in the lake that set the backdrop for this event. Everyone still looked like they were having so much fun!!
As I was leaving a husband and wife and their large Lab were approaching us with their dog who wouldn’t stop barking. They told me he wasn’t accustomed to being around alot of dogs. Boy was that dog in for a treat. I told them he was just being a dog and that is what dogs do! Yes, people, dogs do bark!
I recommend this event for all who want to spend a beautiful day outside with their dog and meet some great people and have alot of fun.